Count Day Protest

Many of you may have seen this infographic telling parents to notify their school district of an intent to homeschool for the period of October 7-25, essentially the 'Count Day' that determines funding for each district based on attendance.  I believe that those behind this movement are good parents that are extremely frustrated.  They may feel that their voices will not be heard any other way.  I understand the intent. 

However, I want to encourage anyone that is entertaining this idea to think of the long term consequences.  Here are just a few:

If you pull your child while funding is being calculated the school will not receive funding for your student.  You are literally underfunding the district that you are expecting to educated your child.  We could probably debate a lot of things regarding how each district spends their funding but that isn't the point.  The point is that you are taking money away from your childs education by engaging in this fake 'homeschool' protest.

 

There are many reasons that families choose to homeschool.  I have been at this a long time and have gotten to know a lot of  families.  I have seen many families pull their kids out of frustration, realize that homeschooling isn't their jam and have watched most of those families return within a year.  On the flip side, I have watched many families pull their children out of a desire to educate their children using a different measuring stick than public education.  Those families have found their groove and thrived.  I believe that nothing should strip either type of family from the freedom to discover the education that is right for them.  However... 

An emerging pattern of parents pulling their children only to return them to the district will do nothing but bring scrutiny to homeschooling.  Many do not know that a hard fought 10 year legal battle preceded securing a parents right to homeschool in Michigan.  Treating the freedom to homeschool in such a lackadaisical manner is dangerous to parental freedom where it comes to all education.

On behalf of every homeschooling family in Michigan, I beg you to use your voice.  But please, do not use it in the cowardly way. 

I think that everyone, school employees included, can agree that our public education system has flaws.  I encourage you that there are other ways to make your voices heard.  

-Introduce yourself to your administrators.  

-Get to know your child's teachers.  

-Attend board meetings and speak up!

-If speaking isn't your thing, write a letter to the school board.  

-Write a letter to the local newspaper. 

-Get involved in your school.  

-A peaceful protest will gain attention if all else fails. 

Remember that in making the decision for your children to attend public school you are essentially making the school an extension of your family.  Your children may very well spend more time with teachers and school mates each week than they do with you.  Immerse yourself into the school, find out what is happening, learn the 'why' behind the decisions.  

And then speak up and speak out!  If you don't like the masking/testing/quarantining, if you don't agree with the curriculum or the way that an educator is behaving, or anything else HAVE A CONVERSATION with those in a position to make a change!  If that doesn't work, gather support and have another conversation.  Make it clear that you won't go away until your concerns are addressed.  

Your voice matters!